A new era

UNESCO’s decision in September to accept Palestine’s membership reflected not only the international support that has built for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice, but also exposed yet again the role of the US in trying to block that progressive tide.

UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – has relevance for Palestine. The Palestinian right to education is severely impacted by Israeli occupation, with Palestinian students in the Occupied West Bank having to cross through checkpoints to get to their schools and universities.

Despite relentless arm-twisting by the US in the run-up to the vote, Palestine was voted into membership by a two-thirds majority, with 107 countries in favour, 14 opposed, 52 abstentions, and 21 absent. Shamefully, Britain was one of the countries that abstained.

Israel's response to the UNESCO decision, too, was sadly only too predictable – it announced its intention to compound its illegal actions by increasing settlement building – illegal under international law. The British government have also repeatedly stated that Israel’s settlement building is illegal. Until international law is actually enforced, the Israeli state will continue to act with impunity.

At the root of UNESCO’s decision is the increased pressure, from millions across the world – the moral majority – to end the siege on Gaza, to end Israeli occupation, and to support Palestinian rights. In a narrow strip of land, over 1.5 million Palestinians live under siege in Gaza – with enough food allowed in by Israel to put them ‘on a diet’ as Israeli advisor Dov Weinglass cruelly described. Under this policy, officials decided what goods should be allowed into Gaza - cinnamon was allowed into Gaza, but coriander jam and pasta have all been blocked.

The growth of international support for Palestinian rights is driven by a desire to end Palestinian suffering. It is driven by a principle that everyone is entitled to human rights, and that occupation and blockades are wrong. The world is crying out for action to end Israel’s violations of international law. UNESCO’s vote to accept Palestine reflects that cry for humanity.

Solidarity with Palestine has become a key international struggle – symbolising the struggle against injustice, racism and occupation.